Mountain tool holster

ABSTRACT

A system or device for securely holding mountain tools, such as ice axes/ice tools and avalanche probe pools (and other such tools), on a backpack in a manner that allows the user to easily and conveniently acquire the tool when needed without first removing the backpack. This is applicable in emergency situations such as a crevasse fall where an ice axe in needed for preparing a rescue anchor or in the event of an avalanche where a probe pole is needed for a victim search. The system also allows for easy and convenient stowing of mountain tools without removal of the backpack as the situation dictates in non-emergency situations, such as after using the probe pole to probe for crevasses when crossing a glacier or after needing an ice tool for security when a repelling (abseiling) onto an icy stance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/206,822 that was filed on Feb. 5, 2009 and entitled “Mountain ToolHolster” the subject matter which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of Invention

The invention relates generally to devices and systems used to attachequipment, such as climbing, hiking or other tools/implements, tobackpacks and the like. In particular the invention relates to a holstertype device used to firmly and safely secure an ice axe, avalanche probepole or other tool/implement to a backpack in a manner that is bothnovel and clearly demonstrates improvement over the prior art.

In climbing, hiking and other pursuits it is common for participants tocarry tools on the outside of a backpack that has some means for theattachment of tools. An example is seen in the device patented byAnscher (U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,045). Typically most attachment mechanismsare located on the front of the backpack (opposite the side of thebackpack that is against the user's back), thus placing the tools out ofreach as long as the backpack is being worn. It is also common for usersto be required to perform tasks in sub-freezing temperatures andparticipants often wear additional warm layers, gloves (or mittens) andhead gear (hats, goggles) that can hamper the fine motor movements andunobstructed vision required to operate current state-of-the-artsystems.

Travel in the mountains often requires the use of safety tools such asice axes, ice tools and snow probes that typically have sharp pointsthat can present a hazard to the user. These tools are usuallytransported attached to a backpack well away from the user until theyare needed. In an emergency situation, such as a crevasse fall oravalanche, these tools must be deployed quickly, yet the currentstate-of-the-art and standard practice does not allow the tool to bequickly and easily deployed as the backpack it is being transported uponmust first be removed to gain access to the tool. This slows down anyemergency response and can be awkward, difficult and potentiallydangerous. Conversely there are times when a user no longer needs a tooland may wish to stow it upon the backpack. Again the pack must first beremoved to perform this operation. In many circumstances this isdifficult and time consuming and is therefore less than optimal.

Other attachment devices exist that place the tools closer to the useron the side of the pack, but due to the nature of these attachmentsystems the tools are not easily removed (such as with one gloved hand)while the backpack is still being worn by the user. Likewise,re-attaching the tool to the backpack requires an amount of dexteritythat necessitates that the backpack be removed.

Regardless of where the tool is attached to the backpack in currentstate-of-the-art systems (the front of the pack or the side of the pack)the tool is at a distance from the body and in the event of a fall thetool is not well positioned to help protect the user from ground impactforces. In fact the tool may be dislodged (or ripped) from the pack thusbecoming a projectile that could result in injury to the user.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an attachment system thatholds the tool safely and securing to the backpack, that allows the useraccess to tools while wearing the backpack in sub-freezing conditionsand is positioned to help protect the user in the event of a fall.Further, it would be desirable to be able to re-attach a tool to thebackpack while wearing cold weather gear (extra layers, gloves, headgear, etc) without first removing the backpack.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The general idea of the invention is to provide a mechanism to safelyand securely fasten a mountain tool (ice axe, ice tool, probe pole,fishing rod, etc) to any backpack (a generic backpack or a new backpackdesign that integrates the invention into the backpack) in a way thatallows the wearer of the backpack to quickly and easily retrieve thetool for immediate use, without first removing the backpack. Conversely,the general idea of the invention is to allow the user to easily (onehanded while wearing gloves) safely and securely re-attach a tool tobackpack without first removing the backpack.

It is also the general idea of the invention to not only reduce thepotential danger inherent to many of the mountain tools, but to use thestrong and rigid nature of the tool to help protect the user from theimpact of a fall by strategically placing the tools on the body. Holdingthe tool close to the hip and along the back means that not only can thetool directly protect the user in the event of a fall by physicallytaking the brunt of an impact, but this placement on the body also meansthat there is little room for acceleration forces to develop between theuser and the tool if the tool is ripped from the backpack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a backpack with the device componentsattached and labeled.

FIG. 2 shows the sequence of use. For stowing a mountain tool (in thisinstance an ice axe) read from left to right. For removing a tool, readfrom right to left.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the device in use. In this instancethe device is being used to transport an ice axe.

FIG. 4 shows an alternate perspective of the device in use on theopposite side of the backpack as depicted in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 shows thedevice being used to transport a probe pole that has an extensionattached to it. This is described in more detail below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The device described consists of two main components that aremechanically attached to any generic backpack (FIG. 1, Part 3) orintegrated into a new and novel backpack. Protection is sought to coverall future embodiments of the device; from systems designed to retrofitexisting backpacks to new designs that integrate the invention directlyinto the backpack

The first main component of the described device is the bottom“holster”. The end of the holster that is towards the main body of thebackpack (away for the user) is attached to, or integrated into, thebackpack through mechanical means (such as being sewn, glued orriveted). The other end of the holster is slotted and the hip-belt ofthe backpack is threaded through this slot. The slot serves to hold thedistal end of the mountain tool (FIG. 3, Part 4 in this case the pick ofan ice axe) tight to the hip while also allowing the holster toself-adjust to an optimal position by sliding along the hip-belt as itis being tightened around the waist. The holster has three sub-parts.These are: a safety strap (FIG. 1, Part 1A); a latch to hook the safetystrap onto (FIG. 1, Part 1B); and a shaft-stop (FIG. 1, Part 1C).

The second component of the described device is the upper shaftrestraining strap (FIG. 1, Part 2) that is attached (or integrated intoa new backpack design) along the side of the backpack by mechanicalmeans such as a rivet, glue, bolt, etc (FIG. 1, Part 2A).

The holster (Part 1) has the function to both support the weight of thetool, as well as act as a guard to protect the user from a sharp end ofthe tool while holding it securely against the user's hip. A safetystrap (Part 1A) fashioned out of stretch material is hooked over a latch(Part 1B) to further secure the tool to the backpack while a shaft-stop(Part 1C) holds the sharp tool end away from the inside end of theholster and prevents the end of the tool from wearing through orpiercing the holster.

The second portion of the invention is the shaft-restraining strap (Part2). This is a moderately elastic material that holds the shaft of thetool (the long axis) tightly against the side of the backpack and awayfrom the user's head. The elastic nature of this straps provides aslight forward pressure on the tool shaft, pushing the distal end of thetool into the holster portion of the device. This passive force must beovercome to first get the end of the tool into the holster andconversely this force must also be overcome to get the end of the toolout of the holster. Thus this mechanism is critical to the nature of theinvention as it provides a passive resistance to keep the tool in theholster.

The holster part (Part 1) of the device is specifically shaped andconstructed to either accommodate an ice axe or shaped and constructedto accommodate a snow probe or other tool. Other shapes may be devisedto manage other tools in activities that also use a backpack totransport tools such, but not limited to, fishing rods, rifles, axes,saws, etc. This constitutes an obvious extension of the invention andprotection is sought to cover these embodiments.

Alternatively it is also possible to create an extension designed toattach to the mountain tools that are essentially straight, such as aprobe pole (FIG. 4, Part 5), in order to make them easier to secure inthe holster. The extension would act like the pick of an ice axe and beheld in the holster by the passive resistance of the shaft restrainingstrap keeping the straight tool from slipping out of the holster. Inthis way one generic holster that is designed to optimally hold thepicks of ice axes and ice tools could be used on both sides of thebackpack and if it is desirable to carry another type to tool (such as aprobe pole) the rigid extension would be attached for use with thisversion of the device. It is an intention of this patent application toalso protect this embodiment of the invention.

USE (FIG. 2, read right to left): To deploy a tool while wearing thebackpack the user first disengages the safety strap that secures thetool to the holster. The tool is then pushed rearward against theresistance of the shaft-restraining strap until the end is clear of theholster. The tool is swung forward releasing all resistance of theshaft-retaining strap and the tool is easily removed.

USE (FIG. 2, read left to right): To stow the tool while wearing thebackpack the user reverses the process by sliding the shaft of the toolunder the shaft-restraining strap, rotating the tool into position andexerting gentle pressure against the shaft restraining strap so as to beable to insert the distal portion of the tool (the pick of an ice axe inthis case) into the accepting holster. The tool will already be quitesecure as the passive resistance of the shaft-restraining strap causesthe distal end of the tool to remain in the holster, however anadditional level of security is created by hooking the safety strap overthe safely latch.

1) A tool attachment device for generic backpacks (or new backpackdesigns that features the device) that is comprised of: a holstercomponent that is located near the hip of the user and is designed tohold the distal end of a mountain tool securely to the backpack; a shaftrestraining strap that retains the shaft (or long axis) of a toolvertically along the side of a backpack and is deformable (has stretchand memory) so as to provides a resistance force that must be overcomethus keeping the distal end of the tool in the holster portion until theuser requires the tool; a safety strap and strap latch that furthersecures the distal end of the tool at the holster for more assuranceagainst accidental lose of the tool; and a shaft stop that stops thesharp end of the tool from contacting the inside end of the holsterportion so as to reduce wear on the holster and to prevent the tool forpuncturing the holster and exposing the sharp point of the tool (thepick of an ice axe/ice tool). 1A) The holster portion of the designaccording to claim 1 that may be manufactured out of a variety ofpotential materials (injected or molded plastic or resin, formed leatherof other robust flexible materials) as long as said material is ruggedenough to withstand the abuse of sharp tools being repeatedly insertedand removed and stiff enough to hold its shape and not collapse when thestrap latch is under tension from the safety strap. 1B) The shaftretaining strap according to claim 1 that may be manufactured out of avariety of potential materials (such as plastic tubing, stretch or shockcord, tension or compression springs, etc) as long as said material canbe deformed under tension and has elastic memory that creates a forcethat must be overcome so as to keep the distal end of the tool in theholster portion of the device. 1C) The safety strap and strap latchaccording to claim 1 that may be made out of a variety of materials aslong as said materials for the safety strap have elastic memory(elastic/shock cord, stretch tubing, etc) and can be stretched over thetool end and looped over the strap latch that can be made out of avariety of materials (such as molded plastic or resin, turned wood,plastic or light alloy, etc) as long as said materials are rigid andwill not deform under tension. 1D) The shaft stop according to claim onethat may be made out of a variety of materials (turned or moldedplastic, resin, wood, alloy, etc) as long as said materials are robustenough to stop the shaft while the shaft is under tension from thesafety strap. 2) A tool attachment device that holds the tool in amanner (vertically along the side of the pack and against the hip-belt)that allows quick and easy one-handed deployment of the tool withoutremoving the backpack and conversely allows the user to stow or attachthe tool to the backpack in a safe and secure manner without firstremoving the backpack. 3) A tool attachment device that holds a mountaintool on a backpack in such a manner as to: protect the user from thesharp and dangerous parts of tools (such as ice axes and ice tools) byholding the shaft along the side of the pack while trapping the sharppick end of the tool against the wearer's hip in a protective sheathand; protect the user in the event of a fall by holding the tool tightlyto the body so that the tool will take the brunt of the impact forces,while also reducing the potential for the tool to be ripped from thebackpack to become a projectile that may cause injury.